There may be some things about the Vietnamese culture that you may not know. Family is the center of all things in Vietnam. Vietnamese are very family-oriented.
The Family
- It is not uncommon for generations of family to live under the same roof.
- In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide food, clothing, and shelter as well as make important decisions for the family. They have ultimate responsibility.
- Traditional values of Vietnamese lifestyle were deeply affected by Confucian ethics.
- Sons are valued more highly than daughters, as men tend to have a higher status than women in VN.
- The relationship between siblings is determined by the principle of seniority, which requires younger siblings to respect and obey the older ones.
- Obedience and respect are the traditional values which Vietnamese children are taught to exhibit in their family.
- When parents grow old, children are expected to take care of them to compensate for the gift of birth and upbringing.
- Tradition says that following death, the spirit lives on. Descendants worship their ancestors to ensure their good favor. On the anniversary of a family member's death, the Vietnamese hold ceremonies in their memory.
Does this sound familiar to your family? It's a little bit more than familiar when it comes to mine, as my parents really push for Vietnamese tradition. I hope you guys found this interesting. In comparison to American life, the Vietnamese have more structure and complexity in their tradition, values, and culture.
"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."
- Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Monk, Activist, & Writer 1926)
No comments:
Post a Comment